Executive Director, Digital Insights

Job Description

Digital is the multiplier that will allow D evelopment Sciences and Clinical Supply (DSCS) to deliver better experiments faster, efficient filing and launch, more robust supply chains and higher-confidence decisions across the portfolio.

The DSCS Digital Technologies organization is tasked with the mission to pioneer and deploy innovative digital technologies that drive the acquisition, automation and utilization of data to enhance insights, efficiency, and quality of DSCS processes and methods.

The Executive Director of Digital Insights will lead multidisciplinary digital teams focused on building robust data pipelines, developing advanced data visualizations, and delivering in silico tools and predictive science solutions. The leader will help drive the digital transformation of R&D and manufacturing processes inclusive of drug substance, drug product and analytical efforts and all therapeutic modalities, ensuring seamless integration of data-driven strategies across the DSCS organization to accelerate innovation and operational excellence.

Key Responsibilities:

• Strategic Leadership: Translate and execute the vision for digital enablement, data strategy, and in silico capabilities across Development Sciences & Clinical Supply (DSCS) and related functions. Influence enterprise-level digital strategy and ensure alignment with business objectives.
• Team Management: Serve as a multi-team leader who leads and mentors teams specializing in data engineering, data science, software development, and predictive analytics. Foster a collaborative environment that encourages innovation and continuous improvement.
• Data Pipeline Development: Oversee the design, implementation, and optimization of modern, automated, and contextualized data pipelines that enable seamless data flow, integration, and accessibility across scientific and operational domains.
• Data Visualization & Analytics: Guide the creation of advanced data visualization platforms and dashboards to support decision-making, enhance data-driven insights, and democratize access to analytics for scientists and business partners.
• In Silico Tools & Predictive Science: Champion the development and deployment of in silico modeling, AI/ML-enabled experiment design, and predictive analytics platforms. Ensure these tools are user-friendly, scalable, and impactful for scientific and operational challenges that drive DSCS business outcomes.
• Innovation & Digital Transformation: Identify and implement digital opportunities that drive operational efficiencies, reduce reliance on traditional experimentation, and accelerate development timelines. Promote adoption of new technologies and best practices.
• Change Management: Partner with operational subject matter experts to develop and implement change management strategies to ensure developed digital solutions realize maximum value in DSCS through broad organizational adoption.
• Value Realization: Provide clear elucidation of the business value being realized through DSCS Digital efforts. Drive establishment and measurement of workstream and use case KPIs aligned with program goals. Provide translation and communication of portfolio impacts achieved through digital transformation efforts.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Partner with business, IT, and scientific leaders to align digital initiatives with DSCS priorities. Communicate complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders and advocate for digital transformation.
• Governance & Compliance: Ensure data integrity, security, and compliance with regulatory requirements throughout all digital initiatives.

Education:

B.S. with a minimum of 15 years of experience or Ph.D. in engineering, chemistry, data science or a related discipline with a minimum of 12 years of experience in new product introduction, with experience across pipeline process development, operations, and new technology builds

Required Experience and Skills:

• Recognized expert in the Chemistry, Manufacturing and Control (CMC) space covering drug substance processes, drug product processes and analytical methods, across both R&D and manufacturing, with a deep understanding of the connections between digital capabilities and CMC
• Broad experience identifying, inventing and implementing digital solutions for technical, operational and/or business solutions that rely heavily on maximizing data access and utilization and revolutionize how processes and analytical methods are developed.
• Demonstrated ability to set and execute on strategic direction for programs, facilities, and strategic investments, especially those that impact multiple organizations and/or divisions
• Demonstrated ability for innovative and complex problem-solving, both technically and strategically, across functions and divisions.
• Demonstrated ability for taking initiative, demonstrating creativity and innovation, and influencing without authority.
• Strength in delivering solutions and results on firm deadlines.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and collaboration skills.
• Demonstrated ability for navigating complex, cross-divisional networks in order to deliver results and drive value for the enterprise. -

Required Skills:
Accountability, Accountability, Business Compliance, Business Development, Change Management Strategies, Customer-Focused, Data Engineering, Data Integrity, Data Pipelines, Data Strategies, Data Visualization, Digital Transformation, Financial Research, Formulation Chemistry, Foster Innovation, Innovation, Leadership, Market Analysis, Medical Product Development, Mentoring Staff, People Leadership, Product Development, Regulatory CMC, Resource Management, Results-Oriented {+ 5 more}

Preferred Skills:

Current Employees apply HERE

Current Contingent Workers apply HERE

US and Puerto Rico Residents Only:

Our company is committed to inclusion, ensuring that candidates can engage in a hiring process that exhibits their true capabilities. Please click here if you need an accommodation during the application or hiring process.

As an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, we provide equal opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.--As a federal contractor, we comply with all affirmative action requirements for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.- For more information about personal rights under the U.S. Equal Opportunity Employment laws, visit:

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EEOC GINA Supplement•

We are proud to be a company that embraces the value of bringing together, talented, and committed people with diverse experiences, perspectives, skills and backgrounds. The fastest way to breakthrough innovation is when people with diverse ideas, broad experiences, backgrounds, and skills come together in an inclusive environment. We encourage our colleagues to respectfully challenge one another's thinking and approach problems collectively.

Learn more about your rights, including under California, Colorado and other US State Acts

U.S. Hybrid Work Model

Effective September 5, 2023, employees in office-based positions in the U.S. will be working a Hybrid work consisting of three total days on-site per week, Monday - Thursday, although the specific days may vary by site or organization, with Friday designated as a remote-working day, unless business critical tasks require an on-site presence.This Hybrid work model does not apply to, and daily in-person attendance is required for, field-based positions; facility-based, manufacturing-based, or research-based positions where the work to be performed is located at a Company site; positions covered by a collective-bargaining agreement (unless the agreement provides for hybrid work); or any other position for which the Company has determined the job requirements cannot be reasonably met working remotely. Please note, this Hybrid work model guidance also does not apply to roles that have been designated as "remote".

The salary range for this role is
$255,800.00 - $402,700.00

This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. An employee's position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, geographic location, government requirements, and business or organizational needs.

The successful candidate will be eligible for annual bonus and long-term incentive, if applicable.

We offer a comprehensive package of benefits.- Available benefits include medical, dental, vision healthcare and other insurance benefits (for employee and family), retirement benefits, including 401(k), paid holidays, vacation, and compassionate and sick days. More information about benefits is available at .

You can apply for this role through (or via the Workday Jobs Hub if you are a current employee). The application deadline for this position is stated on this posting.

San Francisco Residents Only: -We will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records for employment in compliance with the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance

Los Angeles Residents Only: -We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles' Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance

Search Firm Representatives Please Read Carefully-
Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, also known as Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC, Rahway, NJ, USA, does not accept unsolicited assistance from search firms for employment opportunities. All CVs / resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at our company without a valid written search agreement in place for this position will be deemed the sole property of our company. -No fee will be paid in the event a candidate is hired by our company as a result of an agency referral where no pre-existing agreement is in place. Where agency agreements are in place, introductions are position specific. Please, no phone calls or emails.-

Employee Status:
Regular

Relocation:
Domestic

VISA Sponsorship:
No

Travel Requirements:
10%

Flexible Work Arrangements:
Not Applicable

Shift:
1st - Day

Valid Driving License:
No

Hazardous Material(s):
N/A

Job Posting End Date:
03/31/2026
*A job posting is effective until 11:59:59PM on the day BEFORE -the listed job posting end date. Please ensure you apply to a job posting no later than the day BEFORE the job posting end date.

Requisition ID: R388898